Ex-Billionaire CEO Goes Full 'Lidar Lord' to Reclaim LAZR Throne
Austin Russell, the 30-year-old wunderkind who rode Luminar's lidar sensor wave to billionaire town, abruptly quit CEO duties in 2025 amid a mysteriously unreported ethics inquiry. Now, holding a magic SEC scroll, he's plotting to buy 100% of Luminar’s Class A shares through 'Russell AI Labs,' a shiny new venture launched with Mercedes-Benz’s CTO Markus Schaefer and Softbank ex-partner Murtaza Ahmed. Despite Luminar nearly getting the Nasdaq boot and laying off some poor souls, Russell boasts he was invited by 'certain' shareholders and board members for a charming comeback tour. Meanwhile, Tesla quietly side-eyes lidar while Mercedes, Volvo, Audi, Toyota, and Caterpillar stocked up on sensors. Drama, money, and lasers aplenty.
Share the Story
Nothing screams 'corporate soap opera' like a 30-year-old billionaire stepping down amid an ethics probe and then crashing the shareholders' party to buy back his own spotlight like the plot twist no one asked for.
Austin Russell got a backstage pass to exit then decided to stage a full rerun as CEO with a new band called Russell AI Labs. Corporate drama brighter than his lidar sensors!
Luminar almost delisted, laid off friends, but no worries! Austin’s coming back with musketeer buddies from Mercedes and Softbank to turn this auto tech soap opera into a trilogy.
Source: Theverge | Published: 10/17/2025 | Author: Andrew J. Hawkins
More Articles in Business
Salesforce AI Flops, Google Car-Dwellers & Senior Homebuyers Take Over
KPMG’s 450K Sq.Ft NYC HQ: Employee Feedback or Round Table Cult?
Rivian CEO’s $4.6B Stock Option: Billionaire or Billion Procrastinator?
DoorDash Execs Fail at Delivery, Beta-Test Their Own Chaos
Parenting & Two Jobs: Health Writer Floors Architectural Chaos!
